Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-09-02

expressly so state, and in all States tho
ease. quickness and simplicity of the
marriage ceremony has been greatly
increased. Tho solitary exception TO
this rule-that the age of legal mar
riage has generally been changed from
common law rule Of fourteen and
twelve to sixteen, eighteen and even
twenty-onc-is probably due to climatic
reasons The prohibited degrees
have been reduced, and first cousins
can generally marry; bans have been
done away with, and informal and
deceptive marriages recognized.
Illegal relations have been more
strictly treated. Adultery has in many
States been made criminal offense,
and if other Illicit relations have been
treated lonicnily in the criminal law,
in the civil law every possible remedy
has been afforded the injured party for
rcparation or compensation. We may
therefore conclude, despite the con-
servatiyc reaction notable in the last
few years, that the tendency of dcm-
ocracy (the democratic system of
government, not in the partisan sense)
has so far been. while recognizing
marriage rs civil status. TO deny the
right OF the husband TO authority and
possession which has hitherto been the
axiom of the Anglo-Saxon view of that
institution, aud TO make marriage
contract easily made and easily ended.
while strictly furnishing offenses
against the marital relation while 1t
lasts.
Democracy has already emancipated
woman; will it enfranchse herP All
restrictions of propcty privilege, trade
or contract have been generally re-
moved; save only those of political
power Socially, it may be fairly said.
or. at all events, ma Y soon be. said,
that women have their rights; political
ly, they are still women in the etymo-
logical sonso. wives.
On this question, Democracy's first
utterance was most conservative. BY
the express constitution of all the
States of the Union. without exception,
the elective franchise was confned to
males. But in Colorado and in Wis
consin the constitution gives the Leg
islatura power at any time TO extend
the right of suffrage to women, If APP
proved at general election by mere
majority of the people, and both in
Colorado and Minnesota it provides
that women shall vote upon
school questions, and the
same is law in several
other States. Several States are now
agtating the question of giving women
n right to yo.e at municipal elections
also. BY the constitution of Oalifor=
MIA no woman may be disqualified
from entering upon any lawful bust.
ness. profession or vocation. but by
that of Missouri 1t Is specified that the
Governor and the members of the Leg
islature must be men. In Georgia
alone it is expressly enacted that
woman can neither vote hold Office nor
perform any civil functions unless es-
pecially authorized by law; and on the
othor hand, that they are free of mill
tary, jury police, patrol and road du-
ties. So in Louisiana, it Is sanely de-
clared that the law, by reason of the
difference of sexes, has established be-
tween men and women essential differs
ences with respect to their civil, social
and political rights. But in Illinois
women may not bo excluded
from any occupation or profession ex-
cept military, though they may not
hold office. as iulc. nor serve on
iuries, nor be forced to labor on the
streets. And in most States women
are enabled 10. practice particular
professions. such rs law and medicine,
and to hold specified offices, such as
clerkships and rcglslries Of deeds and
places IN schools. Finally, as wo have
already said, women are almost uni
yersally put on the same footing with
men in respect to their property, trade
and services, Aud in three Terrific
ries - Washington, Wyoming and
Utah--woman suffrage is an accom-
plished fact, ] think In view of all
This, it may be safely stated that the
tendency Of democracy is neither TO
impose, to recognize, nor to authorize
any legal, social OF political difference
between the sexes. Mr. Slimson IN
Sc,Tbner's Magazine. tA'